There is a wide variety of businesses in Sheepshead Bay. We’ve got great restaurants, boutique clothing and shoe stores, pharmacies, cell phone stores, salons, knick-knackeries, cafes and so forth. But we’re lacking a few establishments that will add flavor to Sheepshead Bay while keeping many from leaving the ‘hood to fulfill their wants. Here’s my top five of what businesses Sheepshead Bay needs. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section.
- A used book store. Sure, we’ve got a library, but it’s a pitiful one. A used book store would give us more options, especially one that sells both English- and Russian-language literature. It would also be a great cultural point for the bay, where people can meet to discuss books, have book readings, etc.
- An outdoor place to eat and drink on the waterfront. From Stella Maris down to the Brigham Street Park, we’ve got a nice swath of waterside property that fails to satisfy my desire to have an evening drink or a nice lunch sitting directly on the water. A few of the restaurants have enclosed areas with windows looking out onto the bay, but I’d prefer to be outdoors enjoying a salty breeze. We’ve got the property, we should maximize it, even if it means a seasonal business.
- A music venue. For the love of god, a music venue! Having to go to Bay Ridge, Williamsburg, or the city to satisfy my desire to hear live bands kicking out tunes is a real pity. I should be able to plan a weekend that involves seeing a band without leaving the neighborhood. This is New York City for chrissakes!
- An art gallery. Before starting Sheepshead Bites, I thought this neighborhood was dead in terms of art. I figured Sheepshead just didn’t raise artists, and artists sure as hell didn’t move here. Well, I’ve been proven wrong a number of time. This site has introduced me to dozens of artists born, raised, and/or living here. Photographers, graphic designers, sketch artists, sculptors… they’re here! Unfortunately, you’d never know it because there’s no place for them to connect to each other or the community. Instead they showcase their art elsewhere. But having an art gallery in Sheepshead Bay would provide a launching pad for many of these local artists, and attract others to the area. And, of course, it would bring our neighborhood together.
- Good Latin food. Please, no more soggy tacos made by Chinese/Mexican fusion places. I want real, authentic Latin food. Good guacamole, hearty burritos, and maybe even a juicy empanada. And dare I suggest that Sheepshead Bay – a seafood haven – ought to have a good place to buy ceviche?
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I would LOVE a used bookstore nearby. The one all the way over on 7th Avenue in Park Slope closed a while back. I guess it was too near Barnes & Noble. Anyone know of any good used book stores in Brooklyn still operating?
there is a used book store on coney island ave after kings highway, i think between p and quentin but not sure exactly, its not far from the staples.
besides the latin food and place to eat on water none of the other places you mention would make money. so how do you open a place that no one would go to at least not enough people to turn a decent profit. i was working a lease a couple years ago for a restaurant to open on the water next to paradise where the vacant lot is but couldnt come to terms. it would be great to have a good latin spot near by and most around here dont know what ceviche is. by the way this is not NYC this is Sheepshead Bay.
Big Brother, yeah I know about that one, and every time I stopped by there (during regular shopping hours) it was closed so I figured it’s out of business. I’ll try again.
As far as Art goes I think we should work on getting permission to put up more Murals on sides of retail buildings. I would LOVE to get permission to put up a Nintend/VideoGame/NewYork themed Mural somewhere.
An art gallery while a great idea wouldn’t work. I don’t think enough people would visit/purchase art to make it profitable. Too many people would snub their noses at coming to Sheepshead for art.
We could try though. We don’t need a permanent space. There are plenty of community spaces we can get permission to use. The KingsBay and Kingshighway Libraries have space. The YM-YWHA also has space.
Latin food. I’ve been dying to sample some authentic Latin food but you’re right, there are no options for the stuff in Sheepshead, or Midwood for that matter.
As for a Music Venue, well there are two options. Convince an existing business to embrace bands and get the noise permits needed or maybe try and do something at KBCC. An enterprising person or group could lease out space at the KBCC Cafeteria (they’ve installed a Stage there before and have speakers and everything they need, plus i’m sure WKRB would help). I’m sure CUNY would jump at the chance to make some extra money by hosting bands weekly and making money off food. OR What about one of the boats? They are open to charter for parties right? They have liqueur licenses? There you go!
Local broker must be right. There must be something in Sheepshead Bay that makes any restaurant on the water, where you could even dock a boat to patronize, unprofitable. I guess our businessmen are not as dumb as those in Freeport LI or any other waterfront location. Better to build a blank wall, who wants to look at the water?
After sailing up and down the coast from Norfolk to Cape Cod, SHB is the only place that is not advertised to recreational boaters. There is no place to stop. Nothing ashore worth patronizing. No facilities for repair or resupply. No public landing, no regard to anything nautical. Let’s face it. Condo’s make much more money for developers than anything else.
While I’d love a used bookstore, I’m not sure it would make it in the Bay. I have books up on Half.com with no takers, and participated in two flea markets where barely any of the books were sold. These were at rock bottom prices, too. A bookstore paying rent overhead couldn’t sell even used books that cheaply.
Don’t some of the bars and restaurants have live music? There’s one on Gravesend Neck Road that does.
Yea. No way a used book store will make money here. I’m amazed that they are still open in general. Perhaps a used book section at an already successful store.
We had some used bookstores here years ago. But sadly, the book market in general is changing. While one of the pleasures of a used book stores is finding the unexpected, nowadays it is far easier to find exactly what you are looking for through Internet sellers, no matter how obscure the book might be.
Can you imagine a place where one could enter dozens of used book stores, all within a 6 block walk? Such a place existed, it was 4th Avenue between Astor Place and Union Square. It peaked in the 1930s and by 1969, when I discovered it, there were less than twenty. But even those twenty could never be fully appreciated in one day. Today all that is left is the Strand, moved over a block in the early sixties, and a new place whose name I can’t remember.
Thirty years ago there were a lot of venues to hear music here as well. For one thing there were millions of bars, and the laws against amplified music weren’t enforced. The fact that there were so many unmarried baby boomers meant that there was a large audience for live music and bars that had it did well. Then most of the baby boomers moved away. A lot of bars closed.
There are, as others have noted, bars that do have music here. The question is whether that music is what one wants to listen to.
If small town can support a art gallery, Sheepshead Bay should be able to as well. That’s an idea we should definitely look into.
There’s a Mexican Restaurant on East 13th Street and Avenue U. Looks like the real thing, but I’ve never ate there. (Real Mexican Food is good, but my stomach is sensitive to it) I think it is called La Villilita.
On sheepshead bay, on emmons, you got Masal a nice turkish cafe style spot, nice turkish tea and sandwiches, outdoors and your only accross from the sea.
you also got el gecro thats outdoors.
we need a INEXPENSIVE gym in sheepshead bay, none of those ballys and ny fitness clubs with yearly contracts. something medium sized, prized right, and clean. i’d love to pay $20-40 a month on a gym subscription, off course with some limitations though, such as peak hours and such.
Whoa… lot’s of comments to address.
selcuk: I’m not talking about across the street from the water. I’m talking about ON THE WATER. Yeah, I occasionally frequent places like Sweika or Masal that have sidewalk seating, but I’ve got a better view of traffic than I do of boats. That’s not what I want. I want to be on the water and able to forget for just one minute that I’m in New York City.
local: Check your maps. Sheepshead Bay is still part of NYC, and it’s NYC’s diversity in neighborhoods that makes it so great.
Now… to address various people at once on specific topics:
First up, perhaps I was too specific in saying a used book store. I would prefer this, but I would damn sure settle for a Barnes & Noble, wouldn’t you? Now that the bookstores are closed in Kings Plaza, I don’t think there’s a place to go into and browse for titles anywhere in Southern Brooklyn. Shoot – I don’t know if there’s one anywhere in Brooklyn at all! That’s sad. Amazon is good when I know what I want – but nothing beats wandering into a store and finding a treasure by mistake.
Regarding the success of any of these businesses – I call bullsh*t. Sheepshead Bay is home to a store that sells only socks, a lingerie store that is always empty, a bedding store that has no product, multiple framing stores, a pilot school, a Search Engine Optimization business (WTF?!!), and a whole host of other nonsense that I would never believe could make rent the way they do. Most of these stores have been here for years. So, whether you think it would survive is not the question: if these business can survive – and many thrive – then so can an art gallery or a used bookstore. It just requires a persistent and savvy owner.
You forgot the store that sells nothing but printer cartridges.
The art gallery is an absolute must for us. Sheepshead Bay should be as much about culture as commerce. Since the trend is towards urbanization we should see the same sort of energies at work that dynamized neighborhoods such as Park Slope and DUMBO.
Or do the powers that be want to keep away the snarly hipsters?
i was being sarcastic about the nyc thing i have a good idea of where i am. there is a barnes and noble on court street downtown. i think that an art gallery could do well here just find someone who wants to open up and has start up money or do it yourself. its very easy to talk about this its another to put money together find a location get a loan find product and get a business running. if you want to put a proposal together and find a good space if it makes sense i will find you the money for a business.
An art gallery could double as an affordable space for small parties, meetings, etc. like many of the smaller galleries in other neighborhoods. You can even use it as a venue for live music… three uses in one space!
Build it on the water and you have four outta five!
What you all also have to remember is that Sheepshead Bay’s business community is more seasonal than other places.
I think with the right business plan and investors willing to take a hit for about a year, and some creative strategies with a little give-and-take with landlords to ease burdens during the off-season, any new business has the potential of succeeding – a lot does have to fall into place.
But then again, like Ned said, look at some of the stores we actually have and have had for awhile now.
@Ned, haha, now I understand what you mean. We always got that blue bridge from emmons to shore blvd. It’s not much but hey it’s a start. Can’t wait until fishing season offically starts.
Oh, and also, what’s going to happen to Brighton Beach/ Coney island? Isn’t this the last year for them? New hotel resorts and such in Brooklyn? We can now have our own A.C in New York?
Expect a long wait for anything to happen in Coney Island, if at all.
We don’t want AC in New York. Or Las Vegas either for that matter.
Coney Island should be Coney Island.
Now if we had a different mayor, we might end the stalling and throw Sitt’s project right in the ocean where it belongs. Attach some big rocks to the plans so we never see them again.
Sitt is out the city is buying the land from him and is going to develop itself.
- coffee shop
- yeah, I agree, authentic food!!!!!!!!!!!! enough of this FUSION fluff —- go to soho for that ….
- farmer’s market and seafood market
- gift shops- seashells, paintings, beach gear
Is Sitt’s departure official yet? I’ve heard this is going to happen but it looked that way before and then they went back to negotiating again.
from what i understand all they have to do is sign the papers the deal is done otherwise.
This post could very well have been called the 1,001 Businesses Sheepshead Bay Needs.
So many great ideas, here…but, not to sure about the Sheepshead Bay Atlantic City, though.
I guess I’m out of the loop. Book stores, Mexican restaurants, art galleries etc. I guess if you want SHB to become another Brooklyn Heights or some other “trendy” urban local it would also make sense to fill in the bay for parking, or even more boutiques, since nobody mentioned an actual use of the unique physical geography – i.e. a bay. Maybe the bay is only good to collect the garbage flowing off the streets. Too bad someone, maybe artists, haven’t demonstrated some ways to use the bay. 3 struggling boat clubs and a shrinking fishing fleet is what is left of SHB “maritime” heritage.
Hey, local broker. I’m writing about real state in this area… how can I get in touch with you.
here is my email: kv2195@columbia.edu
Parking
Just walk along Emmons Ave or Sheepshead Bay Road anytime of the day or night and you will see the severe need for parking. We who live and work here know this…
The recent change to angled parking near the west end of Emmons Ave. helped, but still quickly fills up. People wanting to visit Sheepshead Bay to eat, shop or walk along the Bay have to think about parking. How many people decide not to visit Sheepshead Bay because of the lack of parking?
Sheepshead Bay is growing but needs immediate help and no more speeches from our government officials. For years our elected representatives have agreed more support is need for the Sheepshead Bay community. In one speech a long time ago it was called “The Forgotten Marina/Waterfront”… And still is.
I would like to suggest our leaders take a look at Ogunguit, Maine or Boca Raton, Florida and how they corrected their parking problem. Both city’s have a trolley bus service running along the main street. They build parking at the ends of the main streets.
What about the west end of Emmons Ave. on the available land along side the belt parkway and the entrance to the belt? Build a parking garage that would blend in with Sheepshead Bay, Plum Beach, the new park and the water…
Build more parking, and they will come…
people need to stop with this thinking that sheepshead bay could be a fishing village or something. this isnt florida this isnt maine this nyc those cities have hundreds of thousands of people living there we have millions here. its never going to be Newport, RI. the only parking we need is for people that live here not more parking for tourism.
Local Broker, you are right.
Why improve the quality of life for the residents who live between the Bay and parkway. Parking has always been a problem, why change it now. Limited parking should help keep the real estate prices down. Who cares if a residents has to park blocks away. Remember this is the Bay.
Again you are right. Why support the fishing fleet, restaurants and local businesses by providing additional parking for their customers. Why try to attract more tourist to Sheepshead Bay. With luck, Coney Island/ Brighton Beach will be improved and the tourist can just stay on the train two more stops.
Yes… Sheepshead Bay should always stay the way it is… If those millions you write about are looking for something like Florida, Maine, Newport let them go somewhere else. Maybe, just in case there are those who have heard about Sheepshead Bay (Like the New York Times) and are thinking about visiting here… Let them walk…
“Businesses Sheepshead Bay Needs” has some very good and interesting comments. They just have to remember, don’t encourage tourist.
i dont see many businesses closing or struggling if they have a good product to sell. more is always better you say meanwhile in the summer it takes 10 minutes to drive 2 blocks down emmons on a weekend this place is packed. we have hotels they should be for tourist or visiting families but are used mostly for prostitution and have been for years. tourism is not a bad thing but there has to be a limit. im all for people making the most they can. a parking garage would be good for the people that live here not to bait more traffic for the area. when you go to places mentioned before most people dont live right in the middle of the commercial area they also travel either by foot or car whatever. her we live on the main strips even the side streets have stores and are busy so its right on top of us. one of the main things i loved about this area brighton sheepshead is that it was away from the hustle of the city not anymore.
We’d have enough packing here if the developers had provided adequate on premises parking. I fail to see why the city needs to subsidize them by building facilities for long term use. Wouldn’t happen anyway.
There has been much interest in recent years in waterfront use enhancement. Promoting Sheepshead Bay as a fishing port doesn’t need to be an expensive undertaking. Sadly though the aesthetics have been killed by overbuilding on the north side of Emmons.
We need a good breakfast/brunch spot. I love Bagel Boy but if I want goog sit down breakfast the diner taste of El Greco is the best we can offer. Bayridge and Park Slope has a few good spots, even the Farm on Cortelyou is pretty good, but nothing within walking distance.
Hungry: Great addition! I’m surprised I forgot that one. Clemente’s had been a personal favorite for breakfast, but now that they’re closed I’m omelet-less. Oh where oh where have my waffles gone?!
Ned, are you going to the grand opening of cherry hill tomorrow? that story was never followed up on.
Grand Opening? Its been open all summer.
This practice of having a “Soft Opening” that lasts longer then a week is retarded, just simply retarded.
Like Broadway plays that have a pre-opening run. Nothing is sacred anymore.
That’s different. Those are basically dress rehearsals open to critics and investors and a few extra people to get word of mouth moving. It also gives the actors a chance to refine their act in front of a living and breathing audience.
I agree with all that you’ve said but what thrills me is that ANYone in Sheepshead Bay is sitting around thinking about ceviche. I would SO love some good ceviche….
[...] But hot-damn, that’s not all! We’re hearing whispers that the landlord yanked D-n-D’s 99-year lease and is close to signing a contract with neighboring Liman. It would make sense; the Turkish seafood restaurant has been getting rave reviews in the city’s press and may be looking to grow its business. But that doesn’t mean Liman’s expanding – management declined to comment, but hinted that the new property wouldn’t be part of the existing restaurant. Hmm… maybe they read our list of businesses that Sheepshead Bay needs? [...]
This list seems like a small step in the right direction for my beloved Sheepshead Bay. Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction and I – for one – agree with all the points. Particularly, one made by Lisanne! that “Sheepshead Bay should be more about culture”.
[...] Island Taste is a slam dunk in our ‘hood. It was just September that we complained our area needed a good Latin joint – and even dared to say we needed a cevicheria. Coney Island Taste delivers on [...]
[...] we really want above all others: a used book store. We’ve written about this before in our 5 Businesses Sheepshead Bay Needs list back in [...]
I'm a 22 year old musician from Sheepshead Bay and I always have to travel to play gigs in different places, Bay Ridge usually…I would love for there to be an honest place around here that let real local live and touring bands play here.